CHAPTER 4 — THE BETRAYAL INSIDE THE FAMILY
Everyone believed Adrian had escaped.
They were wrong.
He wasn't running.
He was hunting.
Late that night, Elena received an anonymous message.
Meet me alone. Bring no security. If you want the vault, come before sunrise.
Against everyone's advice...
She went.
The abandoned observatory overlooked the city.
Adrian stood waiting.
Holding a metal case.
"I never stopped loving you," he said quietly.
Elena laughed.
"You locked me in an attic."
"My parents forced me."
"They threatened to kill you."
"You helped them."
"I was trying to buy time."
She didn't believe him.
Until another voice echoed through the darkness.
"So touching."
Victor.
Bruised.
Handcuffed.
But somehow free.
The FBI transport had been ambushed.
Victor smiled.
"You always trusted the wrong people."
Dozens of armed mercenaries emerged from the shadows.
Victor pointed his pistol at Elena.
"If I can't keep my empire..."
"No one will."
He pulled the trigger.
Adrian jumped between them.
The bullet struck his chest.
He collapsed into Elena's arms.
With his final breath...
He whispered one sentence.
"The real vault... isn't in the case."
Then he died.
Victor laughed.
Until helicopters appeared overhead.
Military helicopters.
Not police.
Not FBI.
Military.
The spotlight landed directly on Victor.
A voice thundered through loudspeakers.
"Drop your weapon."
"You are surrounded."
May you like
Victor looked up...
And realized someone far more powerful had entered the game.
